This week, we descend into the shadowy corridors of Safehaven, the new supernatural thriller premiering on Tubi. This week's guest is a double-threat force behind the series: the head of special FX and makeup design and the actor who steps into the enigmatic role of Francis Zelk, Aaron Merke We get to find out more about the architect behind Safehaven’s bruised dreamscapes and haunting practical effects, and also being one of the faces pulling you deeper into the show’s mystery. On this episode, he walks us through the strange dance of designing terror for the cast while performing within it. From early concept sketches to surreal on-set moments, from building creatures out of psychology to embodying a character tied to the show’s unsettling atmosphere, we explore how Safehaven’s world was stitched together. About SAFEHAVEN Based on the graphic novel, Safehaven follows Jenna Frost, a teenager tormented by visions that claw at her sanity and reality. As those visions ta…

We’re heading back to Oz — and this time, it’s all about the movie. Episode 304 is your full-blown Reel Talk review of Wicked (2024) It's all on the table: the performances, the music, the visuals, the changes from the stage, and whether the movie sticks the landing as one of the most anticipated musical adaptations of the decade. We break down everything, including: Did Wicked, the movie, hit the emotional beats fans expected? Ariana Grande vs. Broadway Glinda — who floats higher? Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba: misunderstood icon or emerald hurricane? The songs — which ones soared and which ones felt… magically mid? CGI, chemistry, choreography… and yes, who actually hit those notes. Is this the future of musical blockbusters or just another glossy adaptation? Expect classic Reel Debaters chaos: bold opinions, friendly yelling, unlicensed attempts at the high notes, and at least one of us trying not to cry at “Defying Gravity.” Short reactions to what else we watched…

Set your profile icon, because Episode 301 goes full cinematic cage match as we throw eight streaming giants into a single-elimination showdown. Who keeps autoplaying their way to victory? Who freezes on the loading screen? And which service becomes the true King of the Content Jungle Topics: Wpg Comic Con 2025/Cute As Can Be Vendor Shoutout/London Listens To The Show?/We Love Paul Gross/ We also roll out fresh reviews including: MJ: The Musical IT: Welcome to Derry Netflix’s Frankenstein Featuring: Michael Petrow, Jimmy Skinner & Charles Fernandes Holiday Featurette: Christmas Movie Trivia+ Night! December 6th – Little Brown Jug Brewery 335 William Ave, Wpg, MB 5 rounds of Trivia/Ugly Sweater Contest/Cosplay Face-Off/ Christmas Coloring Contest Prizes, laughs, drinks, and probably at least one Krampus question argument. 🎟️ Tickets on sale now! Come get festive, competitive, and possibly roasted by us. (https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/1901008340119?aff=oddtdtcreator…

In this episode of The Reel Debaters Podcast, we sit down with the creative minds behind The End Of Our Own Making — a tense, character-driven Winnipeg production that explores the fallout of an active shooter targeting the staff of a private security company. Host Michael Petrow is joined by writer/director Cam Paterson, actors Darcy Fehr and Suzanne Pringle, and director of photography Ryan Herdman to unpack the emotional weight, creative process, and technical challenges of bringing such a raw and relevant story to life. From crafting tension in confined spaces to navigating the emotional toll of portraying trauma, the team dives deep into what it means to tell a story that reflects both humanity’s fragility and resilience. They also discuss: • How the script evolved from concept to screen • The importance of authenticity in performance and production • Capturing intensity through cinematography and sound • The collaborative spirit of Manitoba’s film community …

It’s our 300th episode, and we’re celebrating with a scream! The Reel Debaters mark this milestone by facing off in one wicked debate: What’s the best Halloween special — movie or TV? From nostalgic sitcoms to cult horror flicks, each debater brings their own version of Halloween greatness to the ring: Emily enchants the room with Buffy the Vampire Slayer, WandaVision, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, and Hocus Pocus. Charles brings chaos with That ’70s Show Halloween Special, Goosebumps, Mars Attacks!, and Freddy vs. Jason. Michael keeps it weird with Ernest Scared Stupid, Donnie Darko, The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror, and Stranger Things. We break down the contenders, set the scene, and go all-in on the debate because someone has to bring order to all this. **Apologies, the gain was up on this recording, so think of the white noise as ambiance** (last episode in the batch with these issues) Reviews One Battle After Another Arcane Monster Ed Gein Hos…

What happens when Hollywood’s biggest characters get stranded on a deserted island with nothing but their egos, alliances, and a few hidden immunity idols? Welcome to The Reel Debaters’ Survivor Island — where we take some of our favorite movie heroes, villains, and misfits and throw them into a cinematic version of Survivor using the modern 26-day format. We break down the tribes, alliances, and inevitable betrayals as these on-screen legends battle it out for the ultimate title: Sole Survivor of Cinema. Will John Wick build a shelter or burn it down? Can Elle Woods out-charm the jury? And what happens when Tony Stark tries to “optimize” camp life? Also in This Episode: Tickets on sale for trivia on October 17th at Little Brown Jug, Winnipeg, MB (https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/halloween-trivia-with-manitobas-movie-podcast-the-reel-debaters-tickets-1717317907089?aff=oddtdtcreator) End credit trailer about The Big Bang Theory and Emily's vape-filled summer adventures Host(s): M…

This week, we sit down with writer-director Coby Friesen to talk about his haunting and provocative new short film, Cruising Gamorah — a bold exploration of faith, repression, and desire set against the eerie calm of a reportedly haunted creek. Childhood friends Chris and Alex reunite for a camping trip that spirals into tension, temptation, and truth as their worldviews — and hidden feelings — collide under a dark, watching presence. We dig into the film’s origins, the creative balance between spirituality and sexuality, and how Colby crafted such an emotionally charged story within Winnipeg’s thriving indie scene. *We got new mics, so we're working out the tiny hum you hear in this one, apologies from the kitchen* Host: Michael Petrow Guest: Coby Friesen Executive Producer: Michael Petrow Editing & Mixing: Michael Petrow Recorded at: Sick Bad Panda Podcast Studios, Winnipeg Join the Debate: DM or tag us in your debate takes on this episode or any other. Instagram (…

Who is the greatest wrestler-turned-actor of all time? From Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s box-office domination to Dave Bautista’s dramatic chops, John Cena’s comedic timing, and Roddy Piper’s cult hero status, the Reel Debaters step into the ring for a 12-actor single-elimination showdown to crown the ultimate crossover champion. We break down the contenders, set the scene, and go all-in on the debate because someone has to bring order to all this cinematic chaos. Also in This Episode Body Slams to Box Office – Why Wrestlers Make the Best Action Stars That Funny Moment - When someone argues that The Rock is better with than without hair...? Host(s): Michael Petrow, Jimmy Skinner, Charles Fernandes Executive Producer: Michael Petrow Producers: Jimmy Skinner, Charles Fernnandes Editing & Mixing: Michael Petrow Recorded at: Sick Bad Panda Podcast Studios, Winnipeg, MB Join the Debate Who takes the belt — The Rock, Cena, Bautista, or a dark horse like Roddy Piper? Tel…

This week on The Reel Debaters, we put the spotlight on one of modern cinema’s most fearless filmmakers: Paul Thomas Anderson. From the wild nights of Boogie Nights to the quiet tension of Phantom Thread, PTA has built a career on characters who burn, ache, and sometimes explode. Is he one of the last true auteurs working today? How does he slip so seamlessly between genres without losing his voice? Would he ever embrace streaming, or is the theater his only home? And with his upcoming film One Battle After Another, what past PTA films feel like battles in their own right? Also in This Episode: 🍸 The rise, fall, and rise again of Boogie Nights 🛢️ Milkshakes, madness, and mastery in There Will Be Blood 🎤 Ensemble casts that feel like the Avengers of acting (minus the spandex) Reviews: The Girlfriend The Paper Host(s): Micheal Petrow Tony Buccini Executive Producer: Michael Petrow Editing & Mixing: Micheal Petrow Recorded at: Sick Bad Panda Podcast Studios, …

What if Stephen King’s The Long Walk didn’t star a bunch of random teenagers… but instead your favorite TV and movie characters? We’ll debate: • Who gets cast in this twisted endurance test? • What cinematic levels, scenes, and rules shape the road ahead? • What prizes could make the suffering worth it? Think The Hunger Games meets The Truman Show with a dash of Wipeout. It’s a mash-up only we could dream up, and the results are hilarious, chaotic, and maybe just a little cruel. Also in This Episode: -Standing Ovations -The SNL change-up -An end credit where Jimmy works on his pronunciation Hosts: MIcheal Petrow, Jimmy Skinner, Charles Fernandes Executive Producer: Michael Petrow Producers: Jimmy Skinner, Charles Fernandes Editing & Mixing: Michael Petrow Recorded at: Sick Bad Panda Podcast Studios, Winnipeg Join the Debate: DM us on Instagram or tag us in your debate takes: Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/reeldebaterspod/) Threads (ht…

Five years ago, Steve and Michael cracked open too many drinks, fired up Bubba Ho-Tep on Tubi, and decided to attempt a watch-along. Blue Suede Booze is now being heard for the first time because, wow, can we get distracted and forget we're recording... What started as a casual commentary turned into ad-break insults, behind-the-scenes trivia, and the occasional (read: frequent) long pause of wheezy, drunken laughter. In this episode, we revisit that wild night of Elvis vs. an ancient mummy, celebrate why Bruce Campbell is the undeniable GOAT of cult cinema, and stumble our way through insights about prosthetics, Don Coscarelli’s directing, and the strange beauty of this weird little horror gem. Host(s): MIcheal Petrow, Steve Taylor Executive Producer: Michael Petrow Editing & Mixing: MIcheal Petrow Recorded at: Sick Bad Panda Podcast Studios, Winnipeg Join the Debate: DM us on Instagram or tag us in your debate takes Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/reeldebat…

The Reel Debaters went full Minion mode this week as we set up shop at Movies in the Park for a live commentary on Despicable Me 4! In This Episode: -How we got kicked off the stage by a recording from our hosting duties -Should voice actors always change their voice, or is it okay to bring their own sound to the mic? -What really went on behind the scenes to turn a villain and his Minions into a global animated empire? -Which childhood animated favorites still hold up—and which deserve to be sent to the “Gru’s gadgets gone wrong” pile? -And of course, we dive deep into the DreamWorks / Illumination cinematic universe, because nothing says “family fun” like corporate synergy and fart jokes. From banana-level brilliance to plots that feel a little despicable, we’re breaking it all down with laughs, tangents, and a little nostalgia sprinkled in. Grab your popcorn, watch out for stray freeze rays, and join us for a night where the only thing more animated than the screen…

This week on The Reel Debaters, we sit down with actor and stunt performer David MacInnis for a wide-ranging conversation about the craft, the industry, and his latest bruises courtesy of Bob Odenkirk in Nobody 2. David is known for his commanding yet vulnerable performances. A highly physical and imposing performer, trained in both the martial arts and dance, he infuses his characters with a deep, physical life. David is a classically trained actor, having graduated from the prestigious Conservatory Acting Programme at the University of Alberta, he is as comfortable on set as he is on stage. With over 60 film and television credits, David continues to be highly sought after in the ultra-competitive Toronto market. He has worked on-camera across the country and on stage in Canada and the US. @david.macinnis on Instagram (https://instagram.com/david.macinnis) David 's Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/david.macinnis.5) David 's Website (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm…

This week on The Reel Debaters, we roll out the red carpet for Bob Odenkirk… well, not literally, but we do put on our Hollywood producer hats and pitch him the projects he didn’t know he needed. From a Mr. Show movie to a Broadway spectacle to the world’s least helpful cooking show, we’re giving Bob the career path no studio exec would ever approve. We break down the contenders, set the scene, and go all-in because someone has to bring order to all this. Also in This Episode: Nobody 2 was filmed right here in Manitoba. The best audience picks to compete with the stupidity Should Conan O' Brian and Bob Host SNL together? Reviewed Films: 🎥 Together and why it’s a strange cocktail of body horror and slapstick. 🔪 Saws, and is there still juice left in the traps, or has it rusted over? 🎮 Twisted Metal Season 2 is chaotic, fun, and maybe even better than the first Hosts: Michael Petrow, Jimmy Skinner, Charles Fernandes Recorded at: Sick Bad Panda Podcast Studios, Winni…

Nice Beaver This week on The Reel Debaters, we break down The Naked Gun Series—a masterclass in chaos that still sets the gold standard for spoof comedy. We’re talking best moments, why Leslie Nielsen is the GOAT of deadpan, and what makes this series so damn good decades later. Plus: with a reboot on the horizon, can it rescue modern comedy, or is lightning too weird to strike twice? Frank Drebin never aimed straight, but the laughs always hit. This Week’s Debate: Who could solve the Zodiac murders, Inspector Clouseau, Vs Ace Ventura, Vs Frank Drebin? Also in This Episode: Parody Comedy as a Genre O.J. Simpson gets dragged What Other Lelie Nielsen movies slap Hosts/Michael Petrow, Emily Clark, Jimmy Skinner Recorded at Sick Bad Panda Podcast Studios, Winnipeg, MB Michael Petrow Recording Engineer | Sound Designer | Audio Editor | Mixing Engineer Join the Debate: What did you think? Who did we snub? Let us know: DM us on Instagram or tag us in your debate takes: …